In an amortization table, what does the ending balance represent?

The ending balance in an amortization table reflects the principal still owing after a payment period. As payments are made over time, both interest and principal portions are accounted for. The ending balance indicates how much of the original loan amount remains unpaid after accounting for the principal portion that has been paid down during the period.

This concept is crucial for understanding the accumulation of equity in an asset and financial obligations over time. It helps borrowers visualize their repayment progress and provides insight into how much longer they will need to continue making payments until the loan is fully satisfied.

The other options do not accurately describe the ending balance. For instance, while the total interest paid over the term and cumulative principal paid off are important figures, they do not pertain to the outstanding balance at a specific point in time. The total debt service amount also reflects the overall payment responsibility, which includes interest and principal payments but does not specifically identify the remaining balance on the loan at any given moment.